TOP 5 Best Cameras 2017
Okay, we admit it - it's an impossible question. The best camera for a pro photographer is a million miles from the best camera for an adventure sports nut. So what we've done is pick out what we think are the standout cameras in their fields. This may be because they have the most amazing features and specifications, because they're amazing value for what they offer or because they are just brilliant at the job they've been designed for.
Along the way we'll explain some of the jargon and the differences between cameras, though if you need a bit more help deciding what kind of camera you need, you can get a lot more information from our special step-by-step guide: What camera should I buy?
1. Sony A7R II
Sony's top mirrorless camera is a real show-stopper
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: full frame, 42.4Mp | Lens: Sony E mount (full frame) |Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 1,229k dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 5fps |Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Excellent resolution
High-end 4K video
Relatively limited lens range
Menus need streamlining
Once, if you wanted a professional quality full frame camera it had to be a Nikon or Canon DSLR. But Sony has changed all that with its mirrorless A7 series cameras, and the A7R II is its highest resolution model. Its 42.4 megapixel sensor is second only to the 50-megapixel sensor in the Canon 5DS for resolution, yet the A7R II is only two-thirds the size and weight of the Canon. It has a high-resolution electronic viewfinder and 5-axis image stabilization built into the camera body, and the full-time live view that's integral to the mirrorless design gives Sony's A7-series cameras a real advantage for video.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A7R II
Nikon D500
2. Nikon D500
One of the most complete DSLR's we've seen
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 20.9MP | Viewfinder: Optical |Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2,359,000 dots | Maximum continuous shooting speed: 10fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Stunning 173-point AF system
Rugged, metal body
Relatively low pixel count
Video still limited
Nikon has taken their flagship D5 DSLR and most of its high-end features and distilled all of this into a smaller, but still very durable metal body. The full-frame sensor is replaced by an 20.9MP APS-C sized chip, so it hasn't got quite the same resolving power as the D7200, but it does mean the D500 can shoot at a rapid 10fps, while the 153-point AF arrangement is perhaps the best autofocus system out there right now. A brilliant all-rounder, it excels at fast action like sports and wildlife photography.
Read the full review: Nikon D500
Fuji X-t10
3. Fuji X-T10
The X-T10 makes access to Fuji's terrific X-mount system affordable
Type: Mirrorless | Sensor size: APS-C CMOS | Resolution: 16.3MP | Viewfinder: EVF | Monitor: 3-inch vari-angle, 920,800 dots | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 8fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast
Excellent build and design
Image quality if great
High ISOs are JPEG only
Lacks X-T1 's weatherproofing
At first sight the X-T10 just looks like a lower-cost alternative to Fuji's DSLR-style X-T1, and you might be expecting a whole bunch of compromises as a result. In fact, though, the X-T10 uses the same sensor and AF technology. The X-T10 has a slightly smaller viewfinder image and simplified external controls which don't match the retro appeal of the X-T1's, but apart from that it's hard to see any major benefit to the X-T1 that could justify the big price difference. We love the compact DSLR-style body, the superb Fuji image quality and film simulation modes, and Fuji's growing range of premium lenses. This is top-quality mirrorless technology at a mid-range DSLR price point.
Read the full review: Fuji X-T10
Sony RX100 III
4. Sony RX100 III
Premium performance in a super-small package
Type: high-end compact | Sensor size: 1-inch, CMOS | Megapixels: 20.1 | Lens: 24-70mm-equivalent, f1.8-2.8 | Screen: 3-inch tilting, 1,228,800 dots | Viewfinder: EVF |Continuous shooting: 5fps | Video: 1080p | User level: Enthusiast/expert
Especially compact size
Wide aperture lens
Fiddly EVF activation
No touch-screen
The problem with DSLRs and mirrorless cameras is that they don't fit in your pocket. They're fine if you're going out on a proper photo expedition with all the gear, but impractical on a day out with family or friends. That's why high-end compact cameras are so popular - they combine DSLR-style manual controls with a bigger sensor and better image quality than you'll get from a regular pocket-sized compact. And Sony's RX100 series cameras pull off that combination of compactness and quality brilliantly. The latest model is the RX100 IV, but we've chosen the older RX100 III because it's practically as good but a whole lot cheaper. You get a 1-inch sensor and a 2.9x zoom lens with a large maximum aperture plus a high resolution pop-up EVF, Wi-Fi with NFC, 10fps continuous shooting and a customisable control ring around the lens. Brilliant.
Read the full review: Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III
Panasonic TZ70/ZS50
5. Panasonic TZ70/ZS50
The perfect travel camera - small but versatile and with a big zoom
Type: Compact travel camera: Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12.1Mp | Lens: 24-720mm, f/3.3-6.4 | Monitor: 3-inch, 1,040K dots | Viewfinder: Electronic | Continuous shooting:10fps | Movies: 1080 | User level: Beginner/enthusiast
30x wideangle-to-telephoto zoom range
Manual controls and even raw files
Small sensor restricts quality
A touch-screen would have been nice
The problem with the RX100 III, and high-end compact cameras like it, is that the zoom range is limited. This means you're a bit restricted to subject matter, and you might be happy to sacrifice just a little image quality in exchange for a longer zoom range. This is why so-called 'travel compacts' are so popular. These are like regular point and shoot cameras - perfect for novices and casual photographers - but with souped 20x or even 30x zoom lenses. The best examples add some more powerful controls, and the TZ70 is the best of the best. In fact, it's half way to being a full-on high-end compact, with manual exposure modes and the ability to shoot raw files too - it even has an electronic viewfinder built in. We can't wait to take a look at the brand new TZ80 and TZ100, though.
Read the full review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ70
Leica Q
6. Leica Q
Not just a brilliant camera, but a thing of beauty too
Type: high-end compact | Sensor size: Full frame | Megapixels: 24MP | Lens: 28mm, f/1.7 | Screen: 3-inch touch-screen, 1,040K dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 10fps | Video: 1080p | User level: Expert
Especially compact size
Wide aperture lens
Fantastic full-frame quality
Fast f/1.7 Leica lens
Going from one extreme to another, the Leica Q costs ten times more than the TZ70 and its fixed focal length lens offers a fraction of its versatility. Leica also has a reputation for producing absurdly overpriced cameras with specifications that can be matched by regular cameras costing a fraction as much. But the Leica Q does have a 24-megapixel full frame sensor, it does have a Leica Summilux lens and it does handle like a dream. It's also capable of producing beautiful quality images. It's far too expensive for all but the most affluent consumers, but then you can say the same thing about a Ferrari. The difference is that you might (if you win the Lottery) just about be able to afford the Leica Q.
Read the full review: Leica Q
Nikon D7200
7. Nikon D7200
Versatile, powerful and capable of excellent results
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C, 24.2Mp | Lenses: Nikon DX, FX | Monitor: 3.2-inch, 1,229K dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Continuous shooting: 6fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Enthusiast
Especially compact size
Wide aperture lens
Excellent sensor and image quality
Features and sturdy build
We've come a long way down this list without mentioning a single DSLR, and there was a time when this was the camera of choice for any keen photographer. So this is where we put this right, with a pat on the back for the Nikon D7200. This is one of Nikon's most advanced APS-C format cameras and offers compelling blend of power, performance and price. It has a 24-megapixel APS-C format sensor with no anti-aliasing filter to produce some of the sharpest images you'll see outside of professional full-frame cameras. The D7200 can shoot at 6 frames per second for up to 100 JPEG photos or 27 raw files, and it uses a 51-point autofocus system taken straight from Nikon's pro DSLR range. The only other APS-C Nikon to beat it is the brand new D500, and that costs a lot more money.
Read the full review: Nikon D7200
Canon EOS 760D
8. Canon EOS 760D
Canon's best entry-level DSLR yet offers power and performance
Type: DSLR | Sensor: APS-C, 24.2Mp | Lenses: Canon EF/EF-S | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 1,040K dots | Viewfinder: Optical | Continuous shooting: 5fps | Movies:1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast
Good touch-screen/button controls
Good 24Mp sensor
Pentamirror offers only 95% coverage
Slow route to setting AF point
We like the Nikon D7200 and we like the Canon EOS 760D for much the same reasons. These cameras offer a level of performance, features and image quality that are not so far behind much more expensive professional cameras, but at a price which the average photo enthusiast can afford - and maybe have enough cash left over for a couple of decent lenses, too. There is a cheaper alternative, the EOS 750D, which uses the same sensor, but we prefer the EOS 760D for its more advanced external controls and its additional status LCD on the top plate.
Read the full review: Canon EOS 760D
Panasonic LX100
9. Panasonic LX100
Amazing big-sensor quality and classic controls in a pocket-sized camera
Type: High-end compact | Sensor: Micro Four Thirds, 12.8MP | Lens: 24-75mm, f/1.7-2.8 | Monitor: 3-inch, 921K dots | Viewfinder: Electronic | Continuous shooting: 11fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Expert
Micro Four Thirds sensor
Classic manual controls
12Mp resolution not the highest
Pocketable but only just
We've already featured one high-end compact camera on our list and here's another. The LX100 would be a lot higher on our list if it wasn't for just a couple of little gripes. Its multi-aspect ratio sensor only delivers 12 million pixels, even though the sensor has 16 million, and it's just a little too big for the average pocket. Otherwise, it's a dream. Somehow, Panasonic has squeezed a mirrorless camera sized Micro Four Thirds sensor into its compact camera sized body, and a 4x zoom lens to go with it with a maximum aperture of f/1.7-2.8. It's topped off with traditional external controls for lens aperture and shutter speed, and it's like using a beautiful classic camera with all the advantages of modern digital imaging.
Read the full review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Panasonic FZ1000
10. Panasonic FZ1000
The bridge camera for the photographer who wants quality too
Type: Bridge camera | Sensor: 1-inch, 20.1Mp | Lens: 25-400mm, f/2.8-4.0 | Monitor:3-inch articulating, 921K dots | Viewfinder: Electronic | Continuous shooting: 12fps |Movies: 4K | User level: Enthusiast
Large 1-inch sensor
Very good lens
Big, heavy and not cheap
Not the longest zoom range
Our final camera is a 'bridge' camera, a type that we don't normally like very much because the ultra-zoom design forces the makers to use titchy 1/2.3-inch sensors the same size as those in point-and-shoot cameras. You get the look and feel of a digital SLR, but you certainly don't get the image quality. But the Panasonic FZ1000 is different. It sacrifices a huge zoom range in favour of a much larger 1-inch sensor. It's a compromise most serious photographers will applaud. You get a 16x 25-400mm effective zoom range, which is pretty handy even if it doesn't match the 50x or 60x zooms of most bridge cameras, but you also get a massive jump in quality - this is the same size sensor you get in the Sony RX100 III. The FZ1000 also offers full manual and semi-manual controls, the ability to shoot raw files and 4K video. It's big and pretty expensive, but it's in a class of its own amongst bridge cameras.
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